Because SAS needs to distinguish between the different file types, it automatically assigns an extension to each file when it creates the file. Also, since each SAS file is a member of a data library, SAS assigns each file a member type.
The following table lists the file extensions and their corresponding SAS member types.
Caution | Do not change the file extensions of SAS files. File extensions determine how SAS accesses files; changing them can cause unpredictable results. |
Version 6 | Version 8, SAS System 9 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Random Access Files | Sequential Access Files | Random Access Files | Sequential Access Files | SAS Member Type | Description |
.sas | .sas | .sas | .sas | .sas | SAS program |
.lst | .lst | .lst | .lst | .lst | Procedure output |
.log | .log | .log | .log | .log | SAS log file |
.ssd nn [1] | .sdq nn | .sas7bdat | .sas7sdat | DATA | SAS data file |
.snx nn | .siq nn | .sas7bndx | .sas7sndx | INDEX | Data file index; not treated by the SAS System as a separate file |
.sct nn | .scq nn | .sas7bcat | .sas7scat | CATALOG | SAS catalog |
.ssp nn | .ssq nn | .sas7bpgm | .sas7spgm | PROGRAM | Stored program (DATA step) |
.ssv nn | .svq nn | .sas7bvew | .sas7svew | VIEW | SAS data view |
.ssa nn | .saq nn | .sas7bacs | .sas7sacs | ACCESS | Access descriptor file |
.sst nn | .stq nn | .sas7baud | .sas7saud | AUDIT | Audit file |
.sfd nn | .sfq nn | .sas7bfdb | .sas7sfdb | FDB | Consolidation database |
.ssm nn | .smq nn | .sas7bmdb | .sas7smdb | MDDB | Multi-dimensional database |
.sds nn | .soq nn | .sas7bods | .sas7sods | SASODS | Output delivery system file |
.snm nn | .sqn nn | .sas7bdmd | .sas7sdmd | DMDB | Data mining database |
.sit nn | .srq nn | .sas7bitm | .sas7sitm | ITEMSTOR | Item store file |
.sut nn | .suq nn | .sas7butl | .sas7sutl | UTILITY | Utility file |
.spu nn | .spq nn | .sas7bput | .sas7sput | PUTILITY | Permanent utility file |
.ssb nn | .sbq nn | .sas7bbak | .sas7sbak | BACKUP | Backup file |
[1] All Version 6 files end with a two-character code ( nn ) that identifies sets of compatible SAS files. See "Sharing Files in UNIX Environments" on page 124 for more information. |
A UNIX directory can store a variety of files, but you might find it more practical to store files in separate directories according to their use. Also, you can keep libraries that are accessed by different engines in the same directory, but this is not recommended. See "Using Multiple Engines for a Library in UNIX Environments" on page 116 for more information.